LGBT culture in Nashville consists of the LGBT friendliness, resources, communities, activities for the LGBT community in Nashville and the surrounding areas.
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Each year, since 2012, The Human Rights Campaign rates cities based on five attributes that a city may or may not have, non-discrimination laws, the municipality as an employer, municipal services, law enforcement, and the city leadership's public position on LGBTQ equality. In 2019, they rated 506 cities, Nashville being one of them. Nashville scored higher than average (60 points out of 100), with 70 points out of 100. The city ranked the highest out of the eight cities that were ranked in Tennessee, which included Chattanooga, Clarksville, Franklin, Johnson City, Knoxville, Memphis, Murfreesboro, and Nashville.[1]
As a result of the partnership between OkCupid and Trulia in 2017 cities across the United States were given a "Pride Score" that determined the most LGBT friendly communities on a point-based scale. The highest Pride Score in Nashville was given to zip code 37206, an area that largely consists of East Nashville.[2]
Along with East Nashville, Church Street is commonly known as "the center of gay life in Nashville."[3] 2nd/4th Avenues are also considered LGBT friendly parts of Nashville.[3]
Cafe Coco is 24-hour LGBT friendly cafe that serves a varied menu, including coffee, beer, sandwiches, pizza, pasta, and desserts.[4][5]
Canvas is a small gay-friendly bar on Church Street that holds up to 85 people. The bar features a small menu and quirky decor accented by warm lighting.[6]
D'Andrews is an LGBT-owned bakery and cafe certified by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce. The bakery/cafe is known for their build-your-own salad bar and their house-made dressings.[7]
Lipstick Lounge is a lesbian-owned, predominantly, lesbian/girl bar in East Nashville.[8]
Suzy Wong's House of Yum is an Asian bar and restaurant that is known by the LGBT community for their drag shows during lunch and dinner. The owner of Suzy Wong's House of Yum is Top Chef contender Arnold Myint.[9][10]
The Turnip Truck is an LGBT-owned natural grocer certified by the LGBT Business Enterprise.[11]
| Name | Type of Media Outlet |
|---|---|
| Out & About Nashville | Magazine |
| Focus Middle Tennessee | Magazine |
| Nashville Lifestyles Magazine | Magazine |
| NewsChannel 5 Network | Television News |
Nashville businesses whose owners are members the LGBT community have the opportunity to become certified with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce through the local Nashville LGBT Chamber of Commerce. According to the Chamber, Nashville's LGBTBEs are as follows:
Nashville in Harmony is a diverse and inclusive choir.[20]
Oasis Center is a youth center. Their Just Us program focusses on supporting and advocating for LGBT youth in Nashville.[21]
Nashville LGBT Gaymers is a Facebook community of LGBT gamers within the Nashville area.[22]
| Name | Type of Institution |
|---|---|
| Christ Lutheran Church[23] | Lutheran Church[24] |
| Congregation Micah[25] | Reform Synagogue[26] |
| Covenant of the Cross[25] | Non-denominational Church[27] |
| Edgehill United Methodist[25] | Methodist Church[25] |
| First Unitarian Universalist Nashville[25] | Unitarian Universalist Church[28] |
| Glendale Baptist[25] | Baptist Church[25] |
| Glendale United Methodist Church[29] | United Methodist Church[30] |
| Second Presbyterian Church[25] | Presbyterian Church[25] |
| The Table[31] | Lutheran Church[32] |
Nashville Pride is an annual pride festival held on Broadway Street that includes a parade, vendors, and performances from music artists and other performers.[33]
Nashville Black Pride hosts several annual pride events specifically for black members of the LGBT community, although all races and sexualities/orientations are welcome.[34]
HotMess Sports is an LGBT sports league that plays a variety of sports such as dodgeball, kickball, and volleyball.[35]
OutLoud Music Festival is an annual LGBT music festival that includes LGBT artists in its lineup. Past performers include Kim Petras, Greyson Chance, and Gia Woods.[36]